Truck Drivers – In Demand Across the State

March 21, 2025

Truck drivers are consistently in demand across all areas of Oregon. They are responsible for transferring goods on an interstate and local level and keeping stores stocked for consumers. Education requirements and wages vary depending on whether the driver is operating a light vehicle or heavy tractor-trailer truck, but both are expected to be growing occupations over the next 10 years. 

High School or Some Postsecondary Training and CDL Often Required

A Commercial Driver’s License or CDL is required to drive a “big-rig” or heavy tractor-trailer truck. In general terms, a CDL is required for the operation of vehicles weighing more than 26,000 pounds, for vehicles carrying 16 or more passengers, or for vehicles used to transport hazardous materials. A CDL comes in three classes with a variety of endorsement and restriction codes. There are additional minimum requirements concerning age, vision, and driving record as well.

In addition to heavy trucks, the truck driver occupation also covers light truck drivers. Light truck drivers generally do not require a CDL, and the typical entry level education is a high school diploma or equivalent.

Truckers usually start their career with a postsecondary certificate and no work experience, and they receive less than one-month on-the-job training. Truck and bus driver/commercial vehicle operator and instructor training is a program that can prepare you for a career as a heavy and tractor-trailer truck driver. Private trade schools also offer truck driving instruction and CDL training.

Where They Work and Work Environment

The typical work environment for a heavy tractor-trailer truck driver differs greatly from an office job. The U.S. Department of Labor's O*Net Online provides context and descriptions of the work environment directly from those who work in the occupation. 

• In an enclosed vehicle or equipment – 96% responded “every day.”
• Duration of typical work week – 80% responded “more than 40 hours.”
• Outdoors, exposed to weather – 76% responded “every day.”
• Spend time using your hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools, or controls – 65% responded “continually or almost continually.” 
• Time pressure – 60% responded “every day.”
• Very hot or cold temperatures – 46% responded “every day.” 

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration regulates the hours that a long-haul truck driver may work. Drivers may work for 14 hours straight, with up to 11 hours spent driving and the remaining time doing other work, such as unloading cargo. Drivers must have at least 10 hours off duty and are limited to 60 hours over seven workdays or 70 hours within eight days. A 34-hour break from driving is required before a driver can start another seven- or eight-day run.

Light truck drivers share some of the same workplace attributes but can expect more frequent contact with others. 

• In an enclosed vehicle or equipment – 85% responded “every day.”
• Contact with others – 79% responded “constant contact with others.”
• Time pressure – 56% responded “every day.”
• Face-to-face discussions – 56% responded “every day.”
• Frequency of decision making – 70% responded “every day.”

Light truck drivers have physically demanding jobs. When loading and unloading cargo, drivers do a lot of lifting, carrying, and walking. Driving in congested traffic or adhering to strict delivery timelines can also be stressful.

Job Duties for Heavy and Light Truck Drivers

Most heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers’ routes are assigned by a dispatcher or “travel agent” in trucker lingo, but some independent drivers still plan their own routes. When planning routes, drivers must consider any road restrictions that prohibit large trucks. In addition to their driving tasks, owner-operators have business tasks, like securing clients and completing administrative work. The Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association estimates that there are approximately 350,000 independent owner-operators registered in the U.S.

Some drivers have one or two routes that they drive regularly, and other drivers take many different routes throughout the country. In addition, some drivers have routes that include Mexico or Canada. Some heavy truck drivers transport hazardous materials and must follow rules that apply specifically to them.

Here’s a short list of duties a heavy tractor-trailer driver can expect: 

• Inspect motor vehicles.
• Follow safety procedures for vehicle operation.
• Record operational or production data.
• Inspect cargo to ensure it is properly loaded or secured.
• Record service or repair activities.

Light truck drivers typically operate trucks or vans – with a gross vehicle weight under 26,001 pounds – from distribution centers. They follow assigned routes and schedules, whether making timely deliveries at specific hours or adhering to a regular daily or weekly routine. Their responsibilities focus on safe vehicle operation, accurate route determination, and proper loading and verification of shipments before departure.

Typical job duties for light truck drivers include:

• Follow safety procedures for vehicle operation.
• Receive information or instructions for performing work assignments.
• Read maps to determine routes.
• Verify information or specifications.
• Load shipments, belongings, or materials.

Thousands of Openings Expected Each Year

Oregon’s truck driver occupations employed around 41,000 operators in 2023. About 27,100 truckers or 66% worked as heavy and tractor trailer truck drivers and the remaining 34% or 13,900 worked as light truck drivers. 

Job growth is expected to be about average for heavy truck drivers, at 6.9%, while light truck drivers will grow above average, adding 13.9% between 2023 and 2033. The real demand for truckers will come from replacement openings, mostly due to retirements as the workforce ages. Heavy truck drivers will see around 2,850 job openings annually for replacement needs and light duty an additional 1,500 openings.

On a regional basis, about 54% of Oregon’s light truck drivers worked in the tri-county Portland area (Clackamas, Multnomah, and Washington counties). Heavy and tractor trailer truck drivers were more sparingly distributed, with 46% dispatched in tri-county Portland.

Heavy tractor-trailer truckers earned a higher hourly wage than their light duty counterparts. On average a heavy and tractor trailer truck driver earned $30.14 per hour in 2024. Hourly wages ranged from a low or starting wage (10th percentile) of $22.06 to a high or experienced wage (90th percentile) of $39.34. The median hourly wage (half above and half below) paid $29.93, about 1% below the average wage. Regionally, big-rig truckers in Portland Tri-County earned the highest average hourly wage, at $31.53, while Eastern Oregon offered $28.68 per hour. 

Light truck drivers earned an average hourly wage of $24.32 in 2024, compared with a median of $22.34. Experienced drivers earned up to $35.38 per hour while the entry level started at around $17.16. Portland Tri-County offered the highest regional wage, averaging $25.22 per hour. Lane paid the lowest regional wage, averaging $22.48 per hour. 

Transportation and warehousing employed over half (55%) of Oregon’s heavy and tractor trailer truck drivers. Wholesale trade (12%), construction (7%), and manufacturing (5%) together employed around one out of four of the state’s big-rig truckers. Transportation and warehousing likewise ranked first for its 48% share of light truck drivers. Retail trade (21%), wholesale trade (13%), and manufacturing (4%) together employed around two out of five light duty drivers.